The Interpreter, FSU Office of Compliance

Athletic Aid Process

This article serves as a brief reminder of the various steps associated with the athletic aid process. First, the prospective student-athletes must be sure to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Once this has occurred, coaches may pick up a Grant-In-Aid Preliminary Checklist and a Grant-In-Aid Packet from the Compliance Office (Last Week in October). The appropriate sections of the Grant-In-Aid Preliminary Checklist must be completed, signed, and dated by the Head Coach, Academic Advisor, and Compliance Coordinator. Finally, the Preliminary Checklist must be approved by the Athletics Director (with his/her signature).

A Grant-In-Aid Packet (containing two Grant-In-Aid’s and three National Letters of Intent) is then sent to the prospective student-athlete. Each Grant-In-Aid must contain the signature of the Head Coach, Director of Athletics, and Director of Financial Aid. Once each Grant-In-Aid is signed by the prospect and approved by the Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, copies are distributed to the prospect, University officials, and Atlantic Coast Conference Offices.

Each National Letter of Intent must also contain the signature of the prospect and the Director of Athletics. Again, copies are distributed to the prospect, University officials, and Atlantic Coast Conference Officials.

Remember, according to NCAA rules, after a prospective student-athlete completes the Grant-In-Aid and National Letter of Intent process, they are still considered a PROSPECT until the first day of classes or the first day of practice (whichever comes first).

Notre Dame Scores

Oh, the problems of being Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish may be having trouble chalking up victories on the football field; however, they have had no such trouble chalking up NCAA violations.

The school recently announced that it has reported three additional incidents of possible rules violations to the NCAA:

A part-time tutor, who began that job while a student at the university, wrote a paper for a student-athlete. The tutor has since been discharged.

An allegation of misuse of complimentary tickets by a student-athlete.

An allegation of receipt of extra benefits by a student-athlete.

Senior quarterback Eric Chappell, who was dismissed from the football squad for disciplinary reasons, was reported to be involved in both the ticket and extra benefit situations. Notre Dame learned of the allegations involving Chappell several weeks ago. Notre Dame’s student newspaper quoted an anonymous source who claimed Chappell offered to sell him and a friend two tickets for the Sept. 4 Notre Dame / Michigan game for $50 each.

The source also said he had previously received free tickets from Chappell and other players and claimed that his friend had given Chappell at least a dozen gifts over the last 18 months.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions, already looking at the Notre Dame football program, is expected to rule within the next several months whether to penalize the university over contact between a booster and up to a dozen players. So much for the “luck of the Irish”!

African-American Athletes’ Numbers Drop

African-American college student-athletes, who for several years appeared to be responding to stricter academic standards, are seeing their graduation rates slide. The NCAA is wondering why.

A recently released survey shows the overall graduation rate for African-Americans dropping a second year in a row, from 44% to a seven-year low of 43% – most notably in the sport of basketball. Overall, the survey shows that 58% of more than 14,600 student-athletes, who entered as freshmen in 1992 had graduated by last year. That’s a percentage point higher than a year ago and slightly better than the 56% for the entire student body at the same schools.

Last month, a special NCAA working group called for several reforms aimed at improving graduation rates in men’s basketball. One reform would invite incoming freshmen to get a head start in summer school. Another is basing yearly allocations of scholarships on graduation numbers.

For example, a program graduating 75% or more of its players over a four-year period could have a total of 14 players on scholarship, one more than the current limit. Programs graduating less than 33% would be docked a scholarship.

Whatever the solution, NCAA President Cedric Dempsey called the recent trend “distressing” and acknowledged the need for continued discussions on the matter.

From the Interpretation File

Bylaw 16.2.1.2

Division I Regulations Regarding Complimentary Game Tickets For Student- Athletes:

Complimentary admissions shall be provided only through a list for individuals designated by the student-athlete. “Hard tickets” shall not be issued. The institution shall be responsible for this procedure, and the student-athlete’s eligibility shall be affected by involvement in action contrary to the provisions of 16.2.1.1 and 16.2.2.1. Examples of actions contrary to the provisions of 16.2.1.1 and 16.2.2.1 include the receipt of more than the permissible four complimentary game tickets or the sale or exchange of a complimentary game ticket for money, clothes, or for any other item of value.

In The News . . .

Wiley Appears On Checks:

Ohio State University starting running back Michael Wiley’s image was recently printed on a series of checks issued by Huntington National Bank.

On the check, Wiley’s No.5 was replaced with a zero to make the image appear generic. Under NCAA bylaw 12.5.2.1, a commercial entity is not permitted to use a student athlete’s name or picture to endorse a product or service.

Ohio State athletics director Andy Geiger contends that the school’s marketing department did not violate NCAA rules due to the fact that they had obtained an interpretation request prior to the incident. The NCAA “interp” stated that “it is permissible to use a current athlete if he or she is not identifiable and their current number has been changed or altered.”

The proper step to take in the event of such an occurrence is to report the incident to the NCAA as a rules violation. The NCAA will then look into the matter and make a final determination as to any potential violations, as well as implement any necessary punishment and corrective actions.

For precautionary measures, any coaches, administrators, or student-athletes who have questions regarding player promotion, please submit them to Pennie Parker in the Compliance Office. Remember, ask before you act!

As The Tank Turns:

In this week’s installment of As The Tank Turns, embattled sports agent Tank Black has asked a Congressional committee to look into how the National Football League Players Association has used state and federal investigators to help build a case against him for alleged illegal dealings with college athletes.

When we last left our hero, Tank’s company was accused of making cash payments to former Florida Gator players Johnny Rutledge, Jevon Kearse, and Reggie McGrew while they were still eligible. No word yet on how Mr. Black received the nickname “Tank”.

Michigan Case Update:

Another former University of Michigan basketball player has been named as having accepted money from banned booster Ed Martin.

Sources familiar with the investigation alleged that Albert White and some of his family and friends accepted $37,000 before and during White’s one year at Michigan.

Last week, it was reported that Louis Bullock, now on the Orlando Magic roster, accepted more than $50,000 from Martin during his four-year career, including this past season.

If the NCAA can prove that players took money from Martin after he was banned from the basketball program in March 1997, Michigan could face another inquiry or further sanctions.

Important Reminders:

1) Head Coaches must apply for any holiday break allowances needed for their student- athletes.

2) All recruiting logs and monthly calendars are due in the Compliance Office by October 5th!

Farewell:

Citing “creative differences”, former Interpreter publisher John “I like golf-a-” Lata, is no longer with the monthly newsletter. Although John will continue his outstanding work as a graduate assistant in the Compliance Office, he will be sorely missed here at The Interpreter. When asked whether or not he looked back fondly on his work as publisher of The Interpreter, Mr. Lata responded with an official “no comment.”

Recruiting Calendar (OCTOBER)

Men’s Basketball

Oct. 1 – Oct. 31………..Quiet Period

Women’s Basketball

Oct. 1 – Oct. 7………….Quiet Period

Oct. 8 – Oct. 31…..Evaluation period

Football

Oct. 1 – Oct. 31………..Quiet Period

Softball

Oct. 1 – Oct. 31……Contact/Eval. Period

Compliance Staff

Mr. Bob Minnix

Associate Athletic

Director for Compliance and Legal Affairs

Ms. Pennie Parker

Director of Compliance Services

Mr. Brian Battle

Compliance Coordinator

The Interpreter is published by R.J. Gonser. All comments should be directed to The Interpreter, P.O. Drawer 2195, Tallahassee, FL 32316, phone (850) 644-0963, or by e-mail at: rgonser@mail.law.fsu.edu